NEARLY half of 18 to 34-yearolds say that they would describe themselves as a feminist, according to a new survey taken ahead of International Women’s Day today.

This age group is twice as likely to use the term compared with their parents’ generation.

Only 23 per cent of those aged 45 to 54, and 21 per cent of those aged 55 to 64, would say they are a feminist. Just 19 per cent of pensioners aged 65 and older say they are a feminist.

Younger men are far more likely to embrace the term, the poll of 2,003 people commissioned by charity Plan International UK showed. Men aged 25 to 34 are just as likely as women of the same age to describe themselves as a feminist.

Although some people were lukewarm about the term, the survey found that 91 per cent said they believed that men and women should be treated equally and enjoy the same rights while 5 per cent said they did not.